Frost Studio Theater at the Bolender Center

The Bolender Center sits on the western edge of the Union Station campus in Kansas City's Crossroads district. The building is located at 500 West Pershing Road, accessible by car with on-site parking. The venue provides free parking in a lot with approximately 180 spaces, though the facility does not guarantee a specific spot will be available when you arrive. Accessible parking spaces are positioned near building entrances and designated drop-off zones.

For those with mobility needs, accessible drop-off areas are located near the entrances, making it convenient to reach the building without navigating the parking lot. The building features automatic entrance doors and accessible routes throughout.

The Todd Bolender Center for Dance & Creativity is a working facility, not solely a public performance venue. It houses seven professional dance studios, rehearsal spaces scaled to match the dimensions of the Muriel Kauffman Theatre stage, costume workshops, and administrative offices for Kansas City Ballet. The Frost Studio Theater represents the performance component of this complex, designed to host smaller-scale productions rather than the Ballet's main repertory performances.

Because this is an active training and production space for Kansas City Ballet, the studios and production areas are working spaces. A ticket to a Frost Studio Theater event does not include access to rehearsal rooms, costume shops, or backstage areas.

The Frost Studio Theater offers 180 seats in an intimate setting suited to close-range performances. Accessible seating options are available within the theater to accommodate wheelchair users and guests with mobility devices. The theater's smaller scale creates a different viewing experience compared to large proscenium houses, bringing audiences closer to the performers.

The Bolender Center is equipped with comprehensive accessibility features. Automatic entrance doors ease entry, and elevators provide access to all levels of the building. Restrooms throughout the facility are ADA-compliant, and tactile signage with Braille assists wayfinding. Within the Frost Studio Theater, designated accessible seating is integrated into the seating plan.

Accessible parking spaces are located near entrances and drop-off zones, reducing the distance mobility-device users need to travel from vehicle to venue.

The Bolender Center's regular visiting hours—Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.—apply to administrative functions and are not show times. Frost Studio Theater events follow their own performance schedule, so you should confirm the specific curtain time and door opening for your event rather than assuming these daytime hours apply.

Group tours for parties of ten or more may be arranged by contacting Kansas City Ballet at partnerships@kcballet.org. Tours are typically available from September through May and may include viewings of active classes, rehearsals, and the costume shop. These experiences are scheduled separately and are not included with performance tickets. The Bolender Center also houses the Tatiana Dokoudovska Library, which holds Ballet archives, but public research access is not guaranteed without prior arrangement.

For questions about bags, refreshments or late arrival, contact Kansas City Ballet at 816-931-2232 with your Frost Studio Theater performance details. The address matters: a main-stage Ballet ticket for the Muriel Kauffman Theatre takes you to a different building. Use the room and venue printed on your confirmation when arranging transportation.